President Ford’s Funeral

I love historical events.  A president’s funeral is no exception.  I sat and watched CNN for an hour straight on Saturday just watching the mourners pour past President Ford’s casket in the Capitol building.  I did the same during Reagan’s time lying in state.  I wish I could’ve have gone, but it has not been feasible either time.  Poor Rachel and Warren returned to my house Saturday evening only to watch the re-airing of VP Cheney’s remarks for the service at the Capitol.

This morning was the state funeral.  I did not get to see near as much as I wanted to, as I had a meeting at 11:00.  I was born in 1978 so Ford’s time as president did not have a direct effect on me.  I’ve only known him from my history classes – most of which I have narrowly escaped from with a grade of a C.  I’m not good at History.  Dates, places, times and names do not go anywhere logically within my brain allowing me to recall them in proper arrangement.  I have, however, always been intrigued by Ford.

I enjoyed reading about how he handled being President and have always enjoyed hearing the stories about his children.  The past week has been full of touching moments looking back over his life and the photographs of he and his family during that time. 

Only one moment brought me to tears.  It occurred this morning.  They removed his body from the Capitol and placed it in the hearse to carry it to the National Cathedral.  From there, the procession travelled past the White House and to the Cathedral.  There were many moments along this way that moved various people, but the one that got me best was when our current President, W, escorted Former First Lady Betty Ford into the Cathedral.

President Bush had Mrs. Ford’s left hand in the crook of his right arm.  I immediately thought of a wedding.  Though they had not yet brought in President Ford’s casket, all I could think was, “One day, 59 years ago, Mrs. Ford walked down a similar aisle, perhaps on the arm of her father just as she holds the arm of President Bush.  That walk down the aisle led her to marry the man of her dreams.  This walk leads her to say good-bye to him.”  I immediately began to weep. 

   Maybe it is all the wedding exposure I have had this year.  On May 20, I walked down the aisle of my church holding my daddy’s arm.  At the end of my aisle was Jeff Cronin.  What an incredible journey that walk was!  I was so excited about the long married life that we had before us.  On October 7, Rachel Ledbetter walked down a long aisle on the arm of her daddy to marry my baby brother.  I couldn’t contain my emotions.  It was so surreal.  That walk that a girl takes down that aisle to marry a man begins an even greater journey that often ends in nearly the same way – a long walk down an aisle to your groom, but this time he is gone…

It took me several moments to compose myself.  I know that the symbolism would be even greater if his casket was already up front, at the end of that aisle, but the thought is still the same.  I cannot imagine taking that final walk down the aisle to my groom – nor do I want to.  Today, however, made me think of that moment that lies someday in my future.  Hopefully far away in my future.

Will I have as much grace as Mrs. Ford?  Will have as much composure?  At this point in life, all I can think is “No”.  I wept in the hallway before walking down my wedding aisle.  I wept in the middle of my vows.  I admire these great women – these wives of our Presidents – for the examples of composure and grace they set for us even after they leave the office.

Rest in Peace Gerald R. Ford.  May God take care of your widow…

That’s Right Folks, My Christmas Vacation Has Begun!

What to do?  What to do?

Oh – I have a list…

1. Make Curtains for Living Room

2. Paint

3. SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

That’s right – I can’t wait to start my time at home.  I’ll clean, I’ll sew, I’ll decorate and I’ll NAP!  Napping is something I have loved to do since I was in high school.  I perfected the art as a freshman at Roanoke Bible College (www.roanokebible.edu) where I would sleep for HOURS on Sundays.  I’d get up, attend church at Towne South where I was a member of the praise team, eat lunch with the Leases or the Woolards (friends from childhood), and then

S-L-E-E-P

the day away.  It was wonderful.  I still nap when I can.  Sometimes when I’m not feeling well or I’m feeling depressed, I’ll call in late to work when Jeff leaves for work and then take a nap.  One day, I called my boss to let her know I was feeling pretty crappy.  I was planning on just resting for 30 minutes before getting up and heading out the door.  I slept for FOUR HOURS!

 

Warren and Rachel will be here in a week!  Well, let me qualify that – they’ll be at my grandmothers in a week.  They’ll be here, in my house, a week from tomorrow.  It’s going to be so much fun.  I even got to pick out a new living room rug that will be down before they arrive!  Yea for progress on the house.  I’ll try to update over the next two weeks while I’m at home, but I make no promises.  I plan to be very busy getting ready for and the hosting my brother and his wife (still a little odd to say).

Have a wonderful holiday!!!!

So I went to Cincinnati with Melissa for the Milford High School Annual Craft Show.  It was such a fun trip!  Well…after we actually started to drive TOWARD Cincinnati!!

We left my house at 4:30 a.m. and started on our way to Cincinnati!  Now, this story is not yet funny to Mo so do not pick on her about it.  It has been funny to me since the very moment it occurred!  Remember – I have NEVER driven to Cincinnati or anywhere near it, so I have no clue what the path would be.  We stopped in Waynesboro for Starbucks about 6 a.m. and then got back on the road.  Between our talking and storytelling – we missed the exit to get back onto 64 West.  I didn’t even know we were supposed to take that exit or I might have helped catch our mistake more quickly.

We didn’t realize what had happened until we got to VA Tech and Mo realized she’d never seen the sign at VT before.  Seeing the Radford sign didn’t ring any bells either.  We called Jay and realized we were WAY off course.  This was not a huge tragedy – we took 77 North up through W.VA to Beckley where we got back on track.

At NOON, Melissa said “We’re almost there!” and we probably were in her mind – we were past the midway point if we had taken the right roads.  Two and a half HOURS later, we pulled into her parent’s driveway.  We ate dinner at the Chinese Buffett and hung out with her parents that night.

Saturday brought about breakfast at Panera Bread and shopping at Milford High’s Annual Craft Show.  Milford is where Jay & Melissa graduated from.  It was a fun day, albeit exhausting, and I found some great goodies for people’s Christmas. 

I also brought a cute little snowman sign that says “The Cronins” and “EST. 2006”.  Jeff says that’s a jinx, but I don’t believe in jinxes and I certainly have more faith in our committment than that!  Lunch was at Frisch’s Big Boy then home for a much needed NAP.

Saturday night we went to church at Eastside Christian Church (so cool) and then met Ronnie at Chipotle for dinner.  After a few games (6) of Sequence and a tied score, it was off to bed.

We went out to breakfast with Mo’s mom and dad Sunday morning then got on road at 9:30 a.m.  We took all the right interstates and pulled into my driveway at 6:00.

What a weekend!!!!  It was so much fun and I can’t wait to go back with all four of us – Jay, Mo, Jeff and me – so that we can hit some more hot spots and see where they used to hang out as teens and in college!  We are so blessed to have such great friends!!!

More pictures on my photo site – link on left!!

Fire! Fire!

That is what I experienced today.

We had a pulled fire drill about six weeks ago.  The construction company building the new Phillip Morris thing has a parking lot across the street that we are supposed to be able to use in the case of a fire.  They wouldn’t let us in, so I figured that when it went off today – it was a practice one – to make sure that the parking lot thing was cleared up for the real deal.

Nope.  Four trucks and a fire chief later, they were putting ladders up.

I had my purse, but since we park in a deck – I wouldn’t be able to get to my car anyway.  I didn’t have my books for school, either.

What a day…

Luckily – it was nothing serious.  Of course, as I write this there is still a team of firefighers downstairs with our B&G and security staffs.

Yipee!!

How many people are named Evelyn Cronin?

According to that thing on my brother’s website – 29.

How many people named Evelyn McCrickard?

According to that thing on my brother’s website – 0.

Oh well…I married the world’s most wonderful man (sorry Warren & Dad).

Now, since McCrickard isn’t even in their database – Warren’s results may be a little skewed…

 

So, My Little Warren is a Husband…

What a strange thought for me.  He’ll wake up each morning and have Rachel there beside him.  They’ll have to decide if they’ll brush their teeth together or one at a time (easy decision if you have two bathroom sinks).  He’ll have to ask permission to do things that, before, he just did.  Like running to the store for milk.  Granted, he won’t need permission to do so, but he’ll have to say, “Hey Rach, I’m running to the store.”  Meals won’t be eaten alone as often.  Saturday mornings will become easier – they’ll get to start off in the same location.  Weird.  The kid who was a ladies man in his own mind – is Rachel’s man.  I like it.  Being married to Jeff has been so much fun.  We had dated for a L-O-N-G time before getting hitched and even though we knew each other well, there are things that come out when you are living with someone that you just don’t see when you’re dating.  Jeff and I had even taken vacations together throughout our relationship – there are still “surprises” when you live with someone every day.

I’ve actually been highly emotional over the whole thing.  It started while Heritage (a singing group from Warren’s Milligan days) sang.  They were outstanding and suddenly the whole thing hit me!  Those of you at the wedding got to watch me weep through Rachel coming down the aisle and the father’s prayers.  Mom waved a tissue at me to see if I needed it.  I did, but how on earth was she going to get it to me.  I was up on a step – there was no way to sneak it to me.  Now, I had enough cleavage in my dress to have crammed a few down there, but did I think of that?  NO!  Stupid.  I was emotional watching them dance their first dance and watching he and mom kick off their dance, the Electric Slide.

Well, it’s been three weeks of emotional roller coaster, too.  First, my grandmother went into the hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 26.  It was scary.  She’d been in shock – one of the worst things medically.  Had she been six hours longer before getting to the hospital, the doctor wasn’t sure she would’ve lived.  Then, that Wednesday night after my mother and I visited, she had a pulmonary adema – a blot clot in her lung – that sent her into shock again.  They nearly lost her early Thursday morning.  That Sunday, Jeff and I went to visit her in the hospital.

Later that day my friend’s grandmother had an aneurysm burst in her brain while driving, became discoherent, and went into a large intersection here in Richmond.  She was hit and sustained very serious injuries.  We received news on Monday that she had passed away.  It’s been less than two years since my grandpa died and almost three years since Jeff lost his grandfather.  Those wounds are still raw and often bring tears, so we were very concerned about our friend, but have tried to give her space and let her know that we’re here if she needs us.

While at Warren’s wedding, my parent’s received word that people whom Warren and I were very close to some years ago had been in a serious car accident.  They kept that news from us (Warren will be told when he returns from his honeymoon) so that it would not overshadow the weekend.  One of those people was killed, one had a pelvis broken, and one (Warren’s age) remains in a coma.

I called Warren’s cell yesterday morning just to leave him a message for when he gets back.  I couldn’t make it through it without crying.  I’m so proud of that kid.  He’s out in Hollywood and enjoying it.  His friends from CA at the wedding were great.  I really enjoyed seeing Warren dance with one of those guys!  Anyone who knows my brother knows that he’s got soul coming out of him from somewhere.  *He even stepped with the step team when he was in high school.*

The come “home” overnight tonight.  They land in CA around 2 a.m.  I can’t wait to hear all about their trip!  I can’t wait to see pictures!  I can’t wait until they come in December and stay a couple of nights with Jeff & me.  It is going to be SO MUCH FUN to be able to hang out as the four of us.  I just keep thinking that is so cool that our kids will only know us with our spouses.  They’ll hear stories of me prior to Jeff and of Warren prior to Rachel, but they’ll only be stories.

Check out my photo website (there is a link on the left) for some pictures from the wedding weekend.  Sorry, none of the wedding or reception.  There are some of Rachel in her gown including some funny video footage of her when getting ready.

I almost forgot!  I must mention that I finally met Aaron Gilley (see link to left for Gilley920)!!!  Warren introduced him to Jeff as the man I’m having an online affair with!  Ahh!  I love reading Aaron’s blogs & it was great to meet him in person!  He’s such a cutie-pahtootie!  He also sings BEAUTIFULLY! 

 

Way Too Much Going On

1. Losing My Job (for a day) – Tuesday, Aug 22

So, one of my co-workers took it upon herself to report to the VICE PRESIDENT of JSRCC that back in April, I said the “n” word in a conversation.  I did not call anyone this word, but I used it in a quote.  Hmph…  Not true.  I remember the conversation word for word.  I did use the quote this person accused me of, but I left the one curse word in the quote OUT and it was the “B” word, not the “n” word.

Anyway, since I am a “wage” employee I have NO RIGHTS to a “fair trial”.  Instead, the VP and Human Resources informed my boss (who loves me) that she had to “let me go”.   Needless to say, my boss had to tell me about the situation on Tuesday morning when I came in then send me home.

I was a WRECK (understatement of the year) and called both my daddy and my momma to cry about it.  I waited to tell my husband (who was hard at work) until I had a little more insight into what was going on and I wasn’t sobbing and speaking incoherently.

In the end, I got my job back and more.  I got another position Harriet (my boss) offered me two weeks ago – a position I am creating as we speak.  Interesting enough, the co-worker made this claim against me within a day of Harriet offering me the better position and a move to the Downtown campus.  Very interesting.  Another bonus – I am close to the assistant VP under the VP that was going to fire me and he came to my defense full force.  I love that man.

I didn’t click with this co-worker anyway and was looking forward to the move away from her.  I am going to MISS TRUDY!  My other co-worker with whom I shared a work space & whom did my bridesmaids bouquets for my wedding.  Tru and I will stay in communication via email, phone & lunch dates.

2. I’ve moved to the Downtown Campus of JSRCC – Wednesday Aug 23

I really LOVE my new space.  It is SO MUCH FUN to have an office space all to myself (again, though, I will MISS TRUDY).  I’ll take pictures and put them on myphotoalbum soon (see link to left of post).  I have pictures, I have a fish tank, I have two phone lines, a fax machine, a NEW color printer, and a huge printer for my b&w printing.

Parking can be a pain – one deck, very full all of the time, and very little on street parking thanks to two other decks going up on either side of our campus – one for VCU and one for the BioTech center for Phillip Morris.

3. I’ve started back into classes – Thursday, August 24

I think I want to go back to being an undergrad.  Graduate Level classes at VCU are offered at 2:00 p.m. and later.  Ugh!  I’m glad that Jeff bought me parking in the deck near my buildings, but still – I hate attending class in the late afternoon/evening.  Thursday was the first day of classes.  I have Analysis I – Math Education on Tuesday & Thursday from 2:00 – 3:15.  Then, on Thursdays I have History of Mathematics from 4:00 – 6:40.  This past Thursday, I attended my Reading Instruction in the Content Area at 7:00 p.m.  That one doesn’t meet again the entire semester – it is now totally online.  Which is good, because walking to my car Thursday night was NOT fun.  I hate being on the VCU campus after dark.  I simply do not feel safe.

Today, I am going to my M/W Modern Geometry class from 5:30 – 6:45.  WHAT A SUCKY TIME!!!!  Therefore, I’m not going into work until close to noon so that I can leave work and go to class.  I thought about working this morning and coming home mid-day, but that would be wasteful of gas.  Oh well, Mondays will be time to get homework done without neglecting my hubby.

4. Before all the above events…pictures on “myphotoalbum” – link on left.

Jeff and I hosted our first married cook-out a couple of weekends ago while Gabe was home from Philly.  Disclaimer of unfairness – This was a family cookout.  Jay and Mo have no family in the area, so my parents have adopted them.  They are now totally considered my family.

VBS was held at church – Jeff and I worked the Dye Shop.  It was fun, but tiring!

What else?  I don’t think I can remember it all!!!

Crazy life…Lovely life…I LOVE MY LIFE!

Music & Drama Is the Best!!!

Well, I’m back from another year of Music & Drama Camp at Oak Hill.  It was a blast!!  My campers really rock!  We work them like dogs and they roll with us and put on a most excellent show!

For those who do not know, Music & Drama is a week of church camp at Oak Hill Christian Service Camp in which we teach and take on tour a Christian Teen Musical.  It is a lot of work with very little rest, but our campers love it and return year after year.

Our campers range in age from 12 years old – 18 years old and some attend for all seven summers in that time frame.  They get to know us and we get to know them.  We build relationships with them and it is great!

This year we did a musical called “Let’s Go to the Rock”.  It came out in the early 90’s and is a flashback to the 50’s – poodle skirts and all.  The girls really got into the costumes this year since we usually have a “tour outfit” and not actual costuming.  Even we, the staff, dressed up this year.  I made my own poodle skirt (with a little help)!!!

We meet on a Saturday afternoon and teach through Wednesday.  Then we take a four-five day tour.  This year we went to First Christian in Elizabethton, TN; Church of Christ Youth Camp in Grundy, VA; Unionville Christian in Unionville, VA; Cherry Avenue in Charlottesville, VA; and ended our tour at “home” at Mechanicsville Church of Christ in Mechanicsville, VA.

Our campers practice 9 – 10 hours a day with us and are expected to learn their lines, solos, etc in their free time.  We really wear them out!!

I will have pictures from camp as well as pictures of my poodle skirt up on my photo website (link on the left of the page) as soon as I get a chance to load them onto my computer.

Miss you all!!

Missing photos from wedding are now on the professional site!

Thanks for all those who helped me figure things out that weren’t there.

There are two uncategorized (crazy friends), my shirt getting cut off of me in “getting ready”, LOTS added to the reception, and more of Jeff and I after the reception in “portraits”.

We’re up to 614 photos total!

My photographer rocked!  He stayed up all night looking for these and getting them online.

Thanks Tod O’Driscoll!!!